TV Size and Viewing Distance Calculator

Calculate How Big of a TV You Need and How Far to Sit

Find out how big of a TV you should get and how far away you should sit using our TV viewing distance calculator. If you already have a TV then enter the TV size to find out how far you should place your seating. If you are looking for a TV then enter the distance from your seating position to the TV to determine which size TV you should purchase.

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The Science in Choosing a TV Size

Believe it or not there is actually a science to choosing how big of a TV you should get for the optimal viewing experience. There are several factors to consider when selecting a TV size, notably distance and viewing angle, resolution, and the type of content you’ll be viewing. Our calculator takes these into consideration and makes several size recommendations based on the seating distance based on these considerations.

There are a number of ratios that get roughly close. Multiplying the seating distance by .6 will yield a TV size that will be close to a 30° viewing angle, while multiplying the seating distance by .84 will get you a TV size close to the 40° viewing angle. If your seating distance is 96″ for example, a 58″ TV will have a viewing angle of 30° and an 80″ TV will have a 40° viewing angle. Below is a list of TV sizes and a 40° to 26° viewing angle viewing distance based on a 4K resolution TV.

TV Resolution and 4K Impacts on Seating Distance

The resolution of the TV will also play a role in how far you can sit from the TV. There is a point at which your eyes can make out the individual pixels of the TV screen and the picture begins to degrade based on your visual acuity. TVs with higher resolution have smaller pixels that make up the image, which are harder to see at the same distance. This means that you can sit closer to TVs with a higher resolution before you can begin to see the pixels. You can sit much closer to a 4K TV without making out the pixels than you can a 1080P TV and have a more immersive viewing experience. The viewing distance calculator takes this into account when recommending a size and seating distance. See the chart below for the distances at which you can begin to see the TV pixels.

Content Drives TV Size

What you watch on your TV will determine the recommended size and viewing distance. If you intend to watch 4K Bluray movies then you will want to get a TV that will have a viewing angle closer to the 40° mark for the most immersive experience. If you’re watching 1080P television shows in an informal living space where aesthetics are a concern then you may choose a TV that will have a viewing angle closer to the 30° or maybe even less. You also should consider the type of viewing experience you prefer, which is a subjective decision that only you can make. Also consider that one of the most common complaints after choosing a TV is that a larger TV would have been better, it’s not very common to hear people admit that they wish they had chosen a smaller TV.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a TV

There are a few other factors that you may wish to consider when selecting a TV size. The first is room aesthetics. Some rooms may accommodate a 90″ TV based on viewing distance, but if that room is a formal living space then aesthetics should also be considered. Safety should also be considered. If the TV is being placed on a piece of furniture then the size and weight of the TV and the weight limit of the furniture should be considered. Finally, consider the best height to mount your TV which could determine how large the screen can be. The height of the TV may change the aesthetics of the room and may be a determining factor. Mounting height should definitely be considered when placing the TV. Learn more about TV mounting costs and different bracket options.

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